Quick info
About The Vaults
The Vaults is a bar in Bolton, set in the basement of a converted Victorian building on Market Place, underground below the marketplace. It is a small ale bar that serves about four hand-pulled real ales from different breweries, so the choice is not tied to a single brewer. The bar shares its basement with other eateries and food and drink options, so there are other places to eat and drink on the same lower level. Artwork and theming run through the space and mix old and new styles. Live music is also part of the programme.
Good to know
- AccessibilityWheelchair: entrance, parking lot, restroom
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Reviews
What reviewers say
Reviewers most often mention real ales on hand pull, basement setting, live music nights and artwork and theming.
What reviewers say
Reviewers most often mention real ales on hand pull, basement setting, live music nights and artwork and theming.
Customer Review Summary
Reviewers most often return to the real ales in the basement setting, with four hand pulled ales from interesting breweries on offer and a pint of White Wolf from Deeply Vale singled out, though one felt it was near the end of the barrel. Close behind is the underground space itself, described as a memorable mix of old and new styles with artwork and theming that one visitor loved. Others mention a pleasant variety of unique drinks and live music on Friday and Sunday. Food gets less attention, but one diner found it very good and called the sauce on the jumbo prawns fantastic, even though the prawns themselves disappointed. The main criticism is limited choice. Reviewers say the venue needs more variety, that not enough restaurants are open, and that it lacks atmosphere. One said quality has dropped since opening and described the toilets and the area around them as run down, while another praised the toilets. Several still call it friendly with good service and a good place for a night out with friends.
Customer Review Summary
Reviewers most often return to the real ales in the basement setting, with four hand pulled ales from interesting breweries on offer and a pint of White Wolf from Deeply Vale singled out, though one felt it was near the end of the barrel. Close behind is the underground space itself, described as a memorable mix of old and new styles with artwork and theming that one visitor loved. Others mention a pleasant variety of unique drinks and live music on Friday and Sunday. Food gets less attention, but one diner found it very good and called the sauce on the jumbo prawns fantastic, even though the prawns themselves disappointed. The main criticism is limited choice. Reviewers say the venue needs more variety, that not enough restaurants are open, and that it lacks atmosphere. One said quality has dropped since opening and described the toilets and the area around them as run down, while another praised the toilets. Several still call it friendly with good service and a good place for a night out with friends.
Featured reviews
- Darren Slingsby
“Saturday 22nd November 2025 This is a unique real ale pub in bolton today there was 4 hand pulled ales on of interesting breweries. The owner/staff behind the dar was superb This pub is underground and the drinking area is superb. I was extreamly happy yoday drinking great real ales in this place”
- MADDOGLEP
“Been here before but my first review. In the basement of this old converted victorian building. Jorvic happy to see 4 real ales to choose from. Took a pint of White Wolf from Deeply Vale brewery. ( not the best, probably near the end of the barrel.) That plus a half of Mahou for £5.90. A memorable setting.”
- RODERICK McGURK
“The food was very good, the price about average, service was very good, jumbo prawns were obviously on a diet or they used wrong ones but the sauce was fantastic making the prawns forgivable, overall I would recommend given them a try.”
- Simon McCabe
“The Vaults are just another pever to the Marketplace. It's not exciting down there. The toilets and the area around them are very run down. What's down in there overall is disappointing, and quality has dropped since they first opened.”
- Daniel Booth
“Very cool place, loved the artwork and the theming. Toilets very good as well. Really is a hidden gem of Bolton and appreciated the mix of old and new styles down here.”
Hours
- Monday
- Tuesday
- Wednesday
- Thursday
- Friday
- Saturday
- Sunday
Highlights
- Great beer selection
- Great cocktails
- Great wine list
- Live music
- Live performances
Amenities
- Wheelchair accessible entrance
- Dine-in
- Food at bar
- Cozy
- Onsite services
- Beer
Show more amenities
- Food
- Live music
- Restroom
- Trendy
- Offerings· 4
- Alcohol
- Cocktails
- Hard liquor
- Wine
- Highlights· 4
- Great beer selection
- Great cocktails
- Great wine list
- Live performances
- Atmosphere· 1
- Casual
- Crowd· 1
- Groups
- Accessibility· 2
- Wheelchair accessible parking lot
- Wheelchair accessible restroom
Location
Bars near The Vaults
- Ye Olde Man & Scythe4.61,1210.2 mi
historic 1251 building, Flat Cap cask ale, hot cabinet pasties
- The Spinning Mule4.02,2770.3 miWheelchair accessible
beef madras, breakfast, cask ale selection
- 0.3 mi
cask and keg beers, Northern Monkey beers, pizzas and burgers
| Place | Rating | Distance | Mentioned in reviews |
|---|---|---|---|
| The VaultsWheelchair accessible | 4.4113 | — | real ales on hand pull, basement setting, live music nights |
| Ye Olde Man & Scythe | 4.61,121 | 0.2 mi | historic 1251 building, Flat Cap cask ale, hot cabinet pasties |
| The Spinning MuleWheelchair accessible | 4.02,277 | 0.3 mi | beef madras, breakfast, cask ale selection |
| Northern Monkey Brew Co | 4.769 | 0.3 mi | cask and keg beers, Northern Monkey beers, pizzas and burgers |
The 3 nearest bars by distance. Ratings, hours and review terms come from public business profiles.
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